Transform Society, One Citizen at a TimeCan ordinary individuals redefine societal structures and narratives? Jon Alexander introduces us to five extraordi...
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-Last updated on 12 Jan, 2026
ISBN-10:
1912454882
ISBN-13:
9781912454884
Publisher
Canbury Press Ltd
Dimensions
7.50 X 5.20 X 1.40 inches
Language
English
Transform Society, One Citizen at a Time
Can ordinary individuals redefine societal structures and narratives?
Jon Alexander introduces us to five extraordinary individuals, each from different backgrounds but sharing a common purpose. They embody the 'Citizen Story', demonstrating creativity, capability, and care in their everyday lives.
Will these individuals be able to challenge societal norms and inspire others to become active citizens? Can they successfully transform their communities despite the challenges they face?
If they succeed, they could inspire a shift from passive consumerism to active citizenship, potentially transforming society. Failure could mean a continued acceptance of limiting societal narratives.
Reading this book is an emotional journey, filled with inspiration, resilience, and a renewed belief in the power of active citizenship.
Jon Alexander, a co-founder of the New Citizenship Project, is a fervent advocate for societal transformation and active citizenship.
'An underground hit' - Best Politics Books, Financial Times
'Jon has one of the few big ideas that's easily applied' - Sam Conniff, Be More Pirate
'A wonderful guide to how to be human in the 21st Century' - Ece Temelkuran, How to Lose a Country: the Seven Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship
CONTENTS
Foreword. Brian Eno sets out the value of Citizens in framing a new, optimistic cooperative story for our age, as opposed to the two other options: authoritarian states such as China and "Siliconia" - "a Consumer state with centralised power and deep surveillance".
1. Opening. Jon Alexander sets out the need to 'step into' the Citizen Story so that we can deal with the many challenges of our age: economic insecurity, ecological emergency, public health threats, political polarisation, and more.
2. Citizens Everywhere. How humans are bound together through interdependence and reciprocity, and in turn have a deep bond with nature, which conventional big business cannot understand.
3. Citizens By Nature. Central to the Citizen Story is a belief in ourselves and in human nature as creative, capable, and caring, rather than lazy, self-interested, and competitive within a zero-sum framework.
4. We're All Consumers Now. The launch of the consumer age, by way of Apple's advert for its new Macintosh at the US SuperBowl in 1984.
5. Once We Were Subjects. Before the Consumer, there was another story: the Subject, as in 'subjects of the king.' In this story, the Great Man - the Chief, Pope, King, Boss, Father - knows best.
6. Citizen NGOs. The Consumer Story is falling apart, but the truth alone is not enough to ensure it passes to the Citizen Story. We must act too, to seize control of our futures.
7. Citizen Business. How businesses can harness the power of the Citizen Story to make their workings more popular and inclusive, and to drive societal change.
8. Citizen Government. Taiwan has pioneered the application of citizen government, in stark comparison to Communist China.
9. Closing. A new Citizen movement is building. Examples include Paris approving a standing Citizens' Assembly.
ISBN-10
:1912454882
ISBN-13
:9781912454884
Publisher
:Canbury Press Ltd
Publication date
: 12 Dec, 2023
Category
Sub-Category
Format
:PAPERBACK
Language
:English
Reading Level
: All
No. of Units
:1
Dimension
: 7.50 X 5.20 X 1.40 inches
Weight
:182 g
'The answer to many of the global challenges we face today.'
McKinsey Global Consultancy, Top 5 Recommended Read
'Jon Alexander's New Citizenship Project speaks to action in the real world but has an immensely solid base in ideas as expressed in words, the meanings and applications of which he first teases out and then rams home with elan and gusto in this bravely inspiring book.'
Paul Cartledge, Emeritus Professor of Greek Culture, Cambridge University
'It is an inspiring idea... the text of this book should be taught in every civics class everywhere'.
Sunday Independent, Ireland
'His lively book - which has become something of an underground hit - highlights new forms of active citizenship.'
Financial Times, Top 5 Political Books
'Citizens is a breath of fresh air amidst deep concern about the future of democracy. It offers a powerful vision for the transformation of our institutions.'
Marietje Schaake, International Policy Director, Stanford University Cyber Policy Center, and author, Democracy.com
'The shift from consumer to citizen is a truly big idea. If you're in a position of strategic influence, I strongly recommend you engage with this and consciously explore what it might mean for your organisation.'
Dame Fiona Reynolds, former Director General, National Trust
'In this engaging book, Jon lays out his full vision for how this mindset shift can transform not just business, but NGOs and governments too.'
Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance, London Business School
'Citizens is a powerful provocation for our times... Highly recommended.'
Nichola Raihani, Professor of Evolution and Behaviour, University College London, and author, The Social Instinct
'The wonderful thing is that he not only gives us hope but more importantly he lights a pathway to make this new paradigm a reality through the years of deep work, thinking and action that have formed the basis of his book.'
Jason Stockwood, Vice Chairman, Simply Business, and Chairman, Grimsby Town Football Club
'This is a truly powerful book, in every sense of the word.'
Josh Babarinde, Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur
'Every great transformation requires a new story. A story that reveals new possibilities and points toward an optimistic alternative to the current situation. Citizens presents just such a story.'
Tim Brown, Chair of IDEO and author of Change By Design
'Jon is working with a set of ideas and tools that have the potential to change politics forever. In fact, they could change everything forever.'
Ian Kearns, Founder and Trustee, European Leadership Network
'Citizens is a powerful and intriguing contribution to the search for a genuinely sustainable future.'
David Grayson, Emeritus Professor of Corporate Responsibility at Cranfield University School of Management and co-author of The Sustainable Business Handbook
'There is such a thing as an idea whose time has come. This is that idea.'
James Perry, Board Member, B Lab Global, and Founding Partner, Snowball Investment Management
'I've never been more convinced he has one of the few big ideas that's easily applied, fundamentally needed and genuinely offers a chance of change. Get on board for his new work, now. I am.'
Sam Conniff, Author, Be More Pirate
'Citizens is so exciting and full of energy from the beginning that I wanted to read the whole thing immediately. A wonderful guide to how to be human in the 21st Century.'
Ece Temelkuran, Author, How to Lose a Country: the Seven Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship
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